Clutch for bow-strings



W. BURN'HAM] Clutch for Bow Strings.

No. 229,089. Patented June 22, 1880.

W i/ y/M mzrzns, FNOTO-LITHOGRAPNER, WASHINGTON D. c.

. for use in holding and straining a bow-string UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE.

WALTER BURNHAM, or oHIoAeo, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO oEAELES M. BEAED, 0E ELROY, wISooNsIN.

CLUTCH FOR BOW-STRINGS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 229,089, dated June 22, 1880.

Application filed September 3, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER BURNHAM, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and Improved Hand-Clutch for straining a Bow-String; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

The invention of a mechanical hand-clutch I do not claim, broadly, but have made certain improvements which are hereinafter described, and shown in accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, in which like letters of reference indicate like parts Wherever found, Figure 1 is a side view of the invention. Fig. 2-is a cross-section taken on the line as m of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a top-plan View. Fig. 4 is the arrow-clasp separate from the other parts.

A is the main body of the device, one part of which, B, is curved to the right, and the other part,0,is curved in a half-circle, with one end projecting in a line parallel with the part A. To the end of the part 0 a lever or trigger,D,is attached. The end of the trigger extends forward and is made to engage with a lever, E, pivoted to the part A, so as to play to and from it.

The lever E is provided with a notch or projection, e, and beveled off to make the opening at the end between the parts A and E.

.F is a spring, made concave in its greater part and having the slotf.

In using the hand clutch, the part B is grasped with three fingers, the forefinger passing through or around the circular part of the part 0, leaving the thumb to rest on the trigger D.

G is a small spring made to hold the triggcr in position to catch the lever E, and H is another spring to hold thejaws or lips together when released from the trigger to keep them from falling open,but not sufficiently stout to prevent the release of the bow-string.

Having got the proper hold of the instrnment, the string of the bow is passed into the notch e, first releasing the trigger by pressing down on it with the thumb, the arrow at the same time on the string passing under Spring F, the string also passing into the slot in the said spring. The bow may be drawn now, and the arrow may be discharged at will by pressing slightly on the trigger with the thumb.

The form of that part of the body of the device indicated by O admirably adapts it to serve as a finger-hold and at the same time as a support or point of attachment for the thumb-lever or trigger D. The traction requisite to draw a bow-string is thus applied by means of two or more fingers, while the pressure required to trip the catch is applied by the thumb, which is almost a useless member for tractive purposes. Thus traction is exerted with maximum ease and steadiness.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The hand-clutch for bow-strin gs, the same consisting of the body A, having the upwardly and inwardly curved part O,forming the upper finger-hold, thecatch D, pivoted to the latter, the elbow-lever E, pivoted to said part- A, and one portion thereof projecting above the latter and engaging catch D, as shown and described.

2. The spring F, having the slot I f, in combination with the part A and lever E, in a hand-clutch for straining a bow-string, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. In a hand-clutch for drawing a bow-strin g, the combination of a hook or angular projection for holding the string while being drawn, a trigger to discharge the string at will, and a slotted spring to hold the arrow in connection with the bow-string and instrument, all arranged substantially as and for the purpose specified.

WALTER BURNH AM.

Witnesses:

ALBERT G. SPALDING, JNo. H. WHIPPLE. 

